Free Alien Adoration by Jessica E. Subject

wanted to stay this long.”
    “So, there’s no chance for us.” She spun away and rushed toward her house.
    Fuck. He raced after her and managed to grab her arm just before she stepped up to her porch. She faced him, fire lighting her eyes. If she loved him with as much intensity as the anger she threw at him, their relationship might last forever. Please give me another chance.
    “You didn’t let me finish.” Would she change her mind if she knew the truth? But that meant showing vulnerability. With a deep breath, he stared deep into her emerald eyes. “I came back to Hanton for you. Ever since I met you, I felt a connection to you. Growing up in orphanages and group homes where no one questioned my background, I remained determined to find you as soon as I had the chance.”
    “And yet, you’re leaving.”
    “I panicked when you walked out on me. I assumed you would never be with me because of what I am.” He examined the neighborhood, making sure no one had heard. “I’m sorry.”
    Releasing her arm, he blew out a heavy breath. So much for being the alpha male every woman desired.
    At the touch of her hand, he looked up.
    “Maybe you can come in, and we can talk about it?”
    Sensing her hope, he thought he might still have a chance with her. “Sure.”
    His phone vibrated in his pocket. “Excuse me for a moment.” He fished the device from his pocket and heard his real estate agent on the other end.
    All his hope deflated as the woman announced someone would be viewing his place in an hour. Tucking the cell away, he turned to Rachel. “I’m going to have to take a rain check. There’s someone coming to look at the house soon, and I have to make sure it’s presentable before they arrive.”
    “Maybe I could help?”
    He shook his head. “No. I couldn’t ask you to do that.” The reminder of his ill-timed decision would be hard enough without her with him.
    “Well, do you have a place to go while they’re there?” She rocked up to the balls of her feet. “You could come over here. I can make something for dinner.”
    “I’d love to.” No way would he refuse her offer. Leaning over, he kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll see you in about thirty minutes.”
    She smiled. “Okay.”
    His heart pounded all the way home. The cleaning had already been done earlier in the day. Now, he just needed to find a place to store the orb while some stranger traipsed through his house. Should he take it with him to Rachel’s? She’d already seen its glow. If he was going to have any type of relationship with her, he had to tell her everything, about the orb and his ability to read her emotions. Her reaction tonight would determine if they had a chance at a future together. He rolled his shoulders and stepped into his house. Might as well get it over with.
     
    ***
     
    Rachel blinked as she opened the door to find Luke on her doorstep. She hadn’t expected him to return, still unsure if he was playing her or really did want her in his life. One week wasn’t enough time to figure out his intentions. But if he moved away while she trained for her new position she would be devastated.
    He reached for her hand, rubbing his thumb over the back. “Does the offer still stand for dinner?”
    “Of course. Come on in.” With an almost bare refrigerator and cupboards, she’d thrown a meatloaf together with mashed potatoes—a staple growing up. Sundays were always reserved as her grocery shopping day, but she hadn’t felt up to going anywhere yesterday, only finding a pound of ground chicken. Though with Luke’s intense gaze, she didn’t think it mattered what they ate. She’d seen the same look right before he carried her to his bedroom and showered her with passion only two days earlier.
    He followed her, but stopped on the porch, staring at her wicker rocking chair. “You still have it?”
    She nodded. “I would never get rid of it. It reminded me of…you.”
    With a wry grin, he stepped closer. “I